In an era defined by the evolution of the digital age and technology, instant satisfaction has become prominent. From just holding a phone in your hand, to clicks of a button on the internet, the desire for instant satisfaction has grown.
Children are being introduced to electronics at a young age, which negatively affects their brains, leading to serious consequences. According to the Stanford Medicine News Center, the average age in America to receive a phone is 11.6 years.
As devices are accessible almost anywhere at anytime, this means the need for instant gratification grows.
The more you use the internet and electronics to receive notifications, the more dopamine your brain produces. When scrolling on the internet to shop, use social media, or watch a video, it activates the brain’s neurotransmitter, dopamine.
According to the National Institute of Mental Health, the human brain is not fully developed until the mid-to-late 20s. This means a developing brain goes through many changes.
One of the largest impacts of electronics on society is patience. Today, many people have become accustomed to having instant results. Whether it’s receiving likes on social media or waiting for a text, our brains have become almost hard-wired to need gratification instantly.
There are many deeper consequences to instant satisfaction. Without realization, you may be guilty of these outcomes. The need to scroll comes with consequences such as decreased social skills, procrastination, less patience, decline in mental health, the need for validation, and many more impacts.
In order to break free from instant gratification, it is important to use mindfulness and awareness. By taking the time to pause and focus on what is going on in-the-now, this allows for us to enjoy and cherish each moment. It also allows for more time for loved ones and friends, and time to work on more important assignments. It is almost impossible to reverse the impact electronics have articulated into our brains. However, there are ways to decrease the need to scroll.
If you have the urge to pull out your phone, even for no reason, here are some ways to alternatively use your time. Simply stop and think. What am I checking my phone for? Then, take a second to pause, go for a walk outside, read a book, or give your brain dopamine in other ways.
Liz is a second year Journalism and Mass Communications student who has been Creative Director and News Editor with the Communiqué. She also works at 88.3 KCCK as a Radio News Intern and the Corridor Business Journal as a Reporting Intern. After receiving her associate degree from Kirkwood, she will transfer to the University of Iowa with the 2+2 program. At Iowa, she will continue her journalism passions with the Daily Iowan newspaper and DITV. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree, she plans to work as a Multimedia Journalist and Reporter/News Anchor for KCCI in Des Moines or another station in Iowa.
Categories: Opinion
